Charge 


I 


The  Board  of  Foreign  Missions 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A. 
156  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York 


THE  PERSONNEL  OF  THE  BOARD 


The  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  the 
composed  of: 

Twelve  Ministers  and 

1884  Rev.  George  Alexander,  D.D., 

1898  Rev.  John  F.  Patterson,  D.D,, 

1902  Rev.  J.  Ross  Stevenson,  D.D., 

1903  Rev.  Eben  B.  Cobb,  D.D., 

1904  Rev.  Cleland  B.  McAfee,  D.D., 

1906  Rev.  Charles  R.  Erdman,  D.D., 

1907  Rev.  John  McDowell,  D.D., 

1912  Rev.  Wm.  P.  Merrill,  D.D., 

1913  Rev.  Chas.  C.  Albertson,  D.D., 

1917  Rev.  Wm.  Y.  Chapman,  D.D., 

1917  Rev.  Robert  G.  MacGregor,  DD., 

One  vacancy 


Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.  is 

Eleven  Laymen 

1894  Mr.  John  T.  Underwood 
1897  William  E.  Stiger,  Esq., 

1897  Mr.  W.  P.  Stevenson, 

1898  Mr.  Scott  Foster, 

1908  Mr.  James  M.  Speers, 

1908  Mr.  Alfred  E.  Marling, 

1913  Mr.  John  L.  Severance, 

1914  Mr.  Henry  W.  Hodge, 

1916  Mr.  Edwin  M.  Bulkley, 

1919  Mr.  Arthur  Curtiss  James. 

One  vacancy 


Page  Two 


CHARGE  IT! 


WHAT? 

That  extra  gift  for  Foreign  Missions  which  is  imperatively  needed  NOW,  to  clear 
off  the  accounts  of  1918-19  and  start  the  new  year  with  a  clean  sheet. 

WHERE? 

To  your  account  with  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  U  S  A.,  so  that  they  may  pay  for  the  extra  expenditures  in  the  missions  where 
war  and  famine  and  pestilence  have  raged  through  all  the  years  of  the  World  War. 

WHY? 

Because  your  representatives  over-seas  have  been  carrying  on  the  fight  with  these 
forces,  at  an  enormous  expenditure  of  time,  strength,  life  itself,  and  of  funds  whose 
purchasing  power  had  so  diminished  that  the  budget  of  the  Board  was  increased  to 
an  extent  that  necessitated  a  deficit  of 

$529,399 

This,  added  to  the  deficit  of  the  previous  years,  which  for  these  same  reasons 
could  not  be  cleared  off  in  1918-19,  makes  a  total  indebtedness  of 

$620,399 


Paffe  Three 


THE  PRESENT  SITUATION  IS  THIS 


Not  only  was  the  Board  compelled  to  meet  the  higher  cost  of  living,  a  condition 
well  nigh  universal,  but  it  had  to  meet  heavily  increased  charges  for  ocean  freight  and 
transportation,  the  restoration  of  damaged  property,  loss  in  exchange,  and  enlarged 
missionaries’  salaries.  Syria  and  Persia  were  the  two  countries  which  sufferd  most 
during  the  war. 

SYRIA 

The  missionaries  were  cut  off  from  communication  with  the  outside  world,  almost 
entirely,  for  over  three  years;  and  being  obliged  to  act  on  their  own  initiative,  with 
prices  of  everything  soaring  way  above  the  normal,  and  with  the  purchasing  power 
of  a  gold  dollar  only  one-fourth  what  it  had  been  formerly,  were  compelled  to  expend 
$298,000  above  the  amount  appropriated  by  the  Board  for  the  Mission. 

The  missionaries  could  not  consult  with  the  Board,  the  need  was  great,  immediate 
action  was  required,  and  the  Mission  went  forward  on  its  own  responsibility.  The 
Board  has  approved  the  Mission  action. 

Surely  when  the  Missionary  has  shown  such  heroic  service,  the  Church  at  home 
will  be  equally  generous  in  its  HEROIC  GIVING. 


Page  Four 


In  Meshed,  East  Persia,  where  the  station  force  has  been  so  depleted  by  the  death 
early  in  the  year  of  its  founder.  Dr.  Esselstyn,  the  crowning  event  of  the  year  was  the 
destruction  by  fire  of  the  missionary  residence,  and  a  large  part  of  the  furnishings. 
Meshed  alone  needs  for  reconstruction,  a  sum  amounting  in  gold  to 

$270,000 


THE  BOARD  NEEDS  AT  ONCE 
$620,399 

to  clear  its  books  and  make  ready  for  the  great  advance  which  is  now  presented  to  the 
Presbyterian  Church  at  home. 

BUDGET  OF  THE  NEW  YEAR 

The  total  sum  estimated  for  1919-20  to  clear  these  obligations  and  carry  on  the 
work  as  it  now  stands,  without  any  advance  along  any  line — will  be 

$3,479,496.66 

Estimates  covering  advance  work,  buildings,  equipment,  reinforcements,  etc.,  will 
be  submitted  by  the  Board  at  the  proper  time  to  the  New  Era  Movement  Committee. 

Page  Five 


PERSIA 


Since  the  Budget  was  estimated,  an  appeal  comes  from  the  Persia  Missions, 
n  contending  forces  have  swept  back  and  forth  in  places  occunied 

f  missionaries  were  imSned 

on  false  charges,  records  of  the  Missions  were  seized,  buildings  commandeered  bv  the 
armies,  looted  and  defaced.  At  Urumia  the  entire  mission  fo?ce  wi  Siged  to  fea^e 
the  station  on  a  notice  of  a  few  hours,  and  were  brought  to  Tabriz  but  afterward 
released.  Two  of  the  Urumia  force  died  of  disease  contracted  among  the  ref^Jees 
and  a  missionary  of  another  Society  was  killed.  ^  lugees. 

The  last  cable  from  Western  Persia,  dated  April  3,  1919,  reads:  Urumia  mission- 
anes  and  native  Christians  unable  to  return,  and  repatriation  impossible  because  of 
insecurity.  Christians  face  another  year  of  exile  and  suffering.  Reconstruction 
war  losses  are  for  Urumia— General,  $69,000.  Churches  and  Manses 
$75,000.  Personal,  $60,000,*  Tabriz  and  out-stations — $33,000. 

TOTAL  $237,000 

could  Io'’ca“r5i°by''han!i"‘’  "'“"O  '"■at 

Page  Six 


THE  MISSIONARY  ARMY  OF  OCCUPATION 

In  China,  Japan,  India,  Siam,  Persia,  Syria,  the  Philippines,  Mexico,  Brazil,  Chile, 
Colombia,  Venezuela,  Guatemala,  Chosen  and  among  the  Orientals  m  the  U.  S.  A.,  has 
been  depleted  this  year 

Died  in  action  . . ;•••;•. .  oo 

Discharged  from  Service  because  of  physical  inability .  J9 

Transferred  to  other  Branches  of  service .  5 


Losses  to  April  1,  1919 
Reinforcements  . 


Net  Loss . 

Present  Army  Numbers  1364 

The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.  is  responsible  for  sending  the  Gospel  to 
One  Hundred  Million  people  in  non-Christian  lands.  Only  Seven  One-Thousandths  of 
the  task  has  been  accomplished,  or  a  total  of  702,875  communicants,  catechumens  and 
adherents  out  of  the  entire  number  to  be  evangelized. 

“There  remaineth  yet  very  much  land  to  be  possessed” 


Page  Seven 


CHARGE  IT! 


YOUR  LIFE  in  the  service  of  the  Lord  on  the  mission  field. 

OR 


THE  MEANS  TO  SUPPORT  the  life  of  some  one  else. 
To  reinforce  the  Army  of  Occupation  there  are  needed* 


IN 


Africa, 

20 

men  and  women 

Mexico, 

6 

China, 

40 

It  if  a 

E.  Persia, 

40 

Chosen, 

8 

ti  ft  i( 

W.  Persia, 

16 

India, 

19 

ft  ft  ft 

Philippines, 

12 

Japan 

20 

ft  ft  ft 

Syria, 

51 

Latin  America, 

27 

ft  ft  if 

Siam, 

21 

Total  280. 


This  does  not  include  the  wives  of  those  who  will  go  married. 

Needed  for  a  single  missionary  for  a  year 

$1250 


men  and  women 


*  Send  to  the  Board  for  “Overseas  Service.” 
Page  Eight 


OPEN  ROADS 


The  roads  are  open  for  the  advance  of  the  Army  of  Occupation  but  they  cannot 
make  any  progress  while  their  operations  are  hampered  with  the  hills  of  the  old  war¬ 
fare  unpaid.  They  cannot  make  any  progress  without  the  funds  for  reconstruction  and 
rehabilitation  work.  They  cannot  make  any  great  progress  unless  they  are  reinforced. 

THE  WAR  SERVICE  FLAG  OF  THE  MISSIONARY  ARMY^ 
CONTAINS  301  BLUE  STARS 
and 

NINE  GOLD  STARS 

Who  shall  say  that  those  who  fell  during  the  years  of  the  World  War,  those  whom 
we  honor  for  Distinguished  Service,  are  not  looking  down  on  us  now  and  watchmg  to 
see  whether  we  are  doing  our  part  and  standing  back  of  our  CHURCH  by  sending  to 
ihe  Board  of  Foreign  Missiors,  not  a  “Victory  Loan,”  but  a  Victory  GIFT. 

WILL  YOU  NOT  CARRY  ON? 

*  There  are  probably  many  more  who  were  not  reported  to  the  Board. 


Page  Nine 


The  Board^s  Accounting  of  the  Funds  **Charged”  to  It — 1918-19 


At  the  beginning  of  the  year,  April  1,  1918,  the  Budget  for  all  the  expenses 
of  the  Board,  Missionaries’  salaries,  children’s  allowances,  furlough 
expenses,  evangelistic,  educational  and  medical  work  on  the  field,  and 

home  administrative  expenses,  emergency  health  fund,  amounted  to .  $2 

Added  during  the  year  for  emergencies  . 

Added  for  special  objects  . 


Total,  $3,112,834. 

There  was  received  towards  these  expenses — 

From  Churches  . 

“  Sunday  Schools  . 

“  Women’s  Boards  . 

“  Y.  P.  Societies  . . 

“  Individuals  . 

“  Legacies  . 

“  Income  Securities  . 

“  Other  Credits  . 


$1,033,567 

101,312 

556,573 

50,837 

425,242 

268,800 

135,999 

11,105 


,290.917 

519,358 

302,558 


Total  $2,583,435. 

DEFICIT  for  the  year,  $529,399.  Added  DEFICIT  from  other  years,  $91,000. 

Total  DEFICIT  $620,399. 

The  COST  AT  HOME  for  ADMINISTRATION  of  this  $3,112,834  was  SEVEN  PER  CENT. 


Page  Ten 


A  GLIMPSE  OF  THE  YEAR’S  WORK 

In  the  3831  cities  and  towns  of  the  27  missions  in  16  countries  the  native  force 
of  preachers,  teachers,  Bible  women,  etc.,  has  suffered  a  loss  of  64,  the  total  being  6,806. 

Of  the  4,531  churches  and  groups,  1,371  are  self-supporting. 

The  roll  of  communicant  members  totals  177,766—19,663  of  whom  were  added  during 
the  year. 

Adherents  numbered  449,277  and  the  average  attendance  is  reported  as  255,099. 

Sunday  Schools  number  3,805  with  a  membership  of  265,960. 

In  the  2,122  schools  of  all  grades  are  enrolled  83,723  pupils. 

Ten  Mission  presses  sent  out  last  year  102,149,396  pages,  a  large  part  of  which  was 
irom  the  Bible,  or  religious  tracts. 

In  the  189  hospitals  and  dispensaries,  787,618  patients  were  treated. 

The  RECEIPTS  ON  THE  FIELD,  in  gold,  for  all  classes  of  work  amounted  to 
$1,147,562. 


Page  Eleven 


FOUR  OPEN  DOORS  IN  SYRIA 


THE  MARONITES  who  feared  and  hated  us  so  lately,  have  now  come  to  know  us 
better  through  our  transmission  of  funds  to  them  from  America,  and  through  our  other 
relief  work,  and  are  in  many  cases  asking  that  we  teach  them.  They  want  English. 
They  want  financial  help.  They  need  the  Gospel.  This  is  the  first  open  door. 

THE  MOSLEMS  have  been  flocking  to  our  schools  the  last  two  years,  and  have 
now  been  freed  from  the  oppression  of  the  Turk  who  condemned  to  death  all  apostates 
fr-om  Islam.  They  want  English.  They  want  civilization  and  justice.  They  need  the 
Gospel.  This  is  the  second  open  door. 

THE  REGION  OF  HAURAN  now  lies  open  before  us,  and  has  been  almost  untouched 
by  missionary  work  for  centuries.  Its  people  want  medical  help.  They  want  education. 
They  need  t^e  Gospel.  This  is  the  third  open  door. 

THE  ARABIC  SPEAKING  POPULATIONS  OF  ALEPPO,  MOSUL,  BAGDAD,  and 
other  great  cities  beckon  to  us.  The  spiritual  need  of  Aleppo  is  great.  Thousands  there 
could  be  touched  had  we  only  the  men  to  send  to  them.  They  have  long  lived  in  the 
darkness  of  Islam  or  in  the  twilight  of  their  eastern  faiths,  and  they  need  the  Gospel. 
This  is  the  fourth  open  door. 


Page  Twelve 


A  MEMBER  OF  THE  AMERICAN  COMMITTEE  FOR  ARMENIAN  AND  SYRIAN  RELIEF  AND 
A  MOTION  PICTURE  PHOTOGRAPHER  ON  THE  FRONT  OF  A  LOCOMOTIVE  ON 
THE  BAGDAD  SECTION  OF  THE  B AGDAD-BERLIN  R.  R. 

(Courtesy  of  the  Relief  Committee) 


Page  Thirteen 


FAMINE  AND  PESTILENCE  IN  INDIA 


During  the  last  five  months  of  1918  most  of  Northern  India  has  been  practically 
rainless,  with  the  result  that  there  is  one  of  the  most  widespread  famines  of  modern 
tirnes.  It  will  differ,  however,  from  former  ones  because  of  public  work  to  be  done — 
irrigation  projects,  railway  building,  and  other  building  expansion  in  all  parts. 

Owing  to  the  scarcity  of  shipping,  there  are  large  grain  stocks  in  the  country,  but 
the  price  is  higher  than  in  previous  famines.  Prices  are  still  rising.  Owing  to  the 
absence  of  moisture  at  sowing  time,  little  was  sown  this  year  compared  with  ordinary. 
Even  if  there  had  been  good  winter  rains  a  normal  crop  could  not  have  been;  gathered, 
as  the  area  sown  is  so  much  restricted.  In  Northern  Gwalior,  however,  the  work  is 
scarce  and  the  population  moved  out,  men,  women,  children,  cattle,  and  all  belongings, 
trekking  southeast  where  conditions  are  better. 

Influenza  has  been  fearful.  Hundreds  of  bodies  are  daily  floating  in  the  river. 
No  official  figures  have  yet  been  published  for  India  as  a  whole,  but  in  villages  in 
Gwalior  State  that  are  under  the  charge  of  Mr.  Sam  Higginbottom  the  death  rate  during 
October  and  November  was  from  twenty  to  sixty  per  cent.  Cholera,  plague,  and  the 
other  epidemics  from  which  India  suffers  have  never  shown  such  a  death  rate  as 
influenza.  A  conservative  estimate  for  the  whole  of  India  would  be  ten  per  cent., 
which  means  thirty-two  millions,  or  many  more  deaths  than  the  total  casualties  on 
all  the  battle  fronts  during  all  the  years  of  the  Great  War. 


Page  Fourteen 


THE  “PENSACOLA,”  THE  FIRST  AMERICAN  VESSEL  AND  THE  FIRST  RELIEF  VESSEL  TO 
ENTER  BEIRUT  HARBOR  IN  THREE  YEARS’  TIME 
(Courtesy  of  Committee  for  Relief  of  Near  East) 


Page  Fifteen 


ITINERATING  IN  MEXICO.  APRIL.  1919 

One  of  the  more  recent  additions  to  the  force  in  Mexico  writes  of  his  experiences 
in  itinerating  from  Jalapa. 

“Scarcely  had  we  arrived  at  Jalapa  before  a  young  man  came  in  from  a  town  only 
15  miles  away  wjiere  no  missionary  had  been.  He  offered  us  horses  and  military 
escort  to  come  over  and  explain  our  religion  to  his  sweetheart’s  family,  in  order  to 
avoid  a  Romish  wedding.  So  over  the  mountains  we  went  escorted  over  the  ‘bad 
country’  by  soldiers.  We  spent  two  interesting  days  and  got  rid  of  a  number  of  tracts 
and  met  only  the  utmost  courtesy. 

“Our  second  trip  was  on  a  little  railway  to  Coatepec,  eight  miles  away,  where  we 
used  to  have  regular  services.  On  the  return  trip  1  heard  a  muffled  roar,  the  train 
stopped  short  as  the  trucks  dropped  into  a  hole  left  by  a  bomb.  Then  rifles  began  to 
pop  from  the  bandits  above  firing  down  into  the  cut.  There  was  one  grand  mass  of 
humanity  inside  writhing  in  the  attempt  to  get  down  below  the  Are.  The  cars  were 
armored  about  three  feet  up  the  side,  but  afforded  little  protection.  The  train  was 
entered  and  the  first  bandit  to  appear  carried  with  him  a  rifle  and  in  his  teeth  a  knife 
20  inches  long.  They  took  our  watches  and  ordered  us  out  and  we  went  down  the 
track  to  the  music  of  bullets  overhead. 

“What  they  all  need  is  a  vital  religion.  May  not  some  of  our  returning  chaplains 
from  overseas  turn  their  steps  toward  Mexico?  The  people  need  a  change  of  heart, 
more  than  a  change  of  government,  more  Gospel,  more  education,  more  co-operation. 
Come  over  into  Mexico  and  help  us.” 

Page  Sixteen 


DISTRIBUTING  BLANKETS  FROM  THE  S.  S.  “MERCURIUS” 
(Courtesy  of  Committee  for  Relief  of  Near  East) 


Page  Seventeen 


WITH  THE  LEPERS  AT  CHIENG  MAI 


It  is  a  significant  fact  that  the  only  patients  in  the  Chieng  Mai  Hospital  for  the 
Lepers  who  are  not  Christians,  are  those  who  have  only  recently  been  received  and 
are  not  yet  well  enough  grounded  in  the  Scriptures  to  be  received  into  the  church. 

At  a  recent  communion  service  it  was  announced  through  an  elder  that  they  were 
planning  to  build  a  new  chapel.  So  many  of  the  patients  had  improved  and  were  able 
to  attend  service  that  the  present  building  was  too  small.  God  had  not  only  blessed 
these  poor  outcasts  in  giving  them  clothing  and  treatment  and  shelter,  but  He  had 
blessed  many  of  them  with  restored  health,  and  they,  to  show  their  love  and  gratitude 
resolved  to  build  a  new  house  of  worship.  They  wanted  the  chapel  to  be  their  own 
gift.  Besides  this,  so  many  of  them  were  feeling  strong  enough  to  work  that  they 
also  wanted  to  erect  the  building  themselves.  Only  a  year  and  a  half  ago  had  they 
built  the  present  chapel.  Their  allowance  is  thirteen  cents  gold  per  week,  and  a  little 
rice,  but  they  were  ready  to  give  the  equivalent  of  $33  in  gold  and  their  labor,  as  a  very 
real  and  vital  expression  of  their  love  for  God. 

Dr.  Cort  adds:  “We  are  looking  forward  eagerly  to  the  day  when  we  can  send  these 
lepers  out  from  the  Hospital  cured,  and  are  hoping  that  like  the  leper  in  Bible  times 
they  ‘will  go  out  and  begin  to  publish  it  and  blaze  abroad  the  matter,’  and  that  this 
Hospital  may  be  the  means  in  His  hands  by  which  the  Gospel  shall  be  spread  abroad 
throughout  Siam,  and  that  all  men  will  marvel.” 

Page  Eighteen 


REFUGEES  PICKING  WOOL,  ADANA 
(Courtesy  of  Committee  for  Relief  of  Near  East) 


Page  Nineteen 


HOW  THE  AFRICAN  GIVES 

The  African  Christian  puts  the  American  Christian  to  shame.  When  the  price  of 
cloth  with  which  to  make  their  clothes  went  up  five  times  what  it  was  before  the  war, 
and  when  money  became  scarcer  and  scarcer,  did  the  African  reduce  his  gifts  to  the 
church  so  as  to  pay  the  increased  price  for  the  clothing?  NO,  he  went  back  to  his 
loin  cloth,  and  the  women  went  back  to  their  grass  skirts  and  they  attended  service  as 
before,  although  before  these  hard  days  came,  no  Christian  would  be  seen  in  the  house 
of  God  in  such  attire,  or  lack  of  attire. 

And  when  the  collection  went  down  to  700  marks,  and  the  missionary  preached  a 
missionary  sermon,  out  of  their  poverty  they  managed  to  give  1,500  marks,  over  ONE 
HUNDRED  PER  CENT,  increase. 

The  African  Christian  also  gives  of  his  time  for  the  Lord.  The  Christians  of  Efulen 
and  Alum  gave  in  one  year,  9,460  days  of  service — nearly  26  years  of  effort  to  evangelize 
their  fellow  countrymen. 

He  also  gives  for  those  who  have  gone  on  before.  A  Christian  man  and  wife  give 
regularly  in  the  church  envelopes,  they  give  for  each  of  their  living  children,  and  then 
in  addition  in  a  separate  envelope  give  for  the  children  who  have  passed  on. 

WHAT  OF  YOUR  GIFT? 


Page  Twenty 


PORT  SAID:  BASKETS  ARRANGED  FOR  BREAD  DISTRIBUTION  EARLY  IN  THE  MORNING 

(Courtesy  of  Committee  for  Relief  of  Near  East) 


Page  Tiuenty-one 


THE  ^^CONVERTED  ROBBER^^  VILLAGE 

Just  recently  the  most  famous  robber  in  the  Hwai  Yuen  district,  China,  was  cap¬ 
tured.  His  name  translated  into  English  might  be  called  “Spotted  Tom.”  He  is  notori¬ 
ous  for  his  cruelty,  burning  women  and  children  in  his  effort  to  extort  from  them  where 
their  silver  is  buried. 

Spotted  Tom  has  been  a  robber  chief  with  hundreds  of  followers  who  are  very  loyal. 
But  he  tired  of  his  life  as  a  fugitive  from  justice,  so  fled  first  to  Peking  (under  an 
assumed  name),  and  after  to  Shanghai  where  he  was  captured  by  the  police.  He  was 
sent  back  to  Hwai  Yuen  for  trial,  and  was  met  by  a  company  of  soldiers  with  flags  and 
trumpets.  At  the  Mayor’s  house  he  was  feasted.  As  he  is  such  a  strong  character  it 
would  not  do  to  be  an  enemy  of  his  should  he  be  pardoned*. 

In  his  home  town  Spotted  Tom  had  a  cousin  who  was  a  village  elder.  One  day  he 
went  to  the  cousin  and  accused  him  of  reporting  him  (Spotted  Tom)  to  the  Magistrate, 
and  at  the  point  of  his  revolver  drove,  him  out  of  the  town.  This  cousin  is  a  Christian 
now  and  every  Sunday  preaches  to  iiis  neighbors,  almost  all  of  them  of  the  calibre 
of  Spotted  Tom.  And  every  night  he  has  a  school  for  the  unlearned  and  is  teaching 
them  the  Gospel  story,  and  the  people  listen.  Here  and  there  all  through  the  district 
terrorized  by  Spotted  Tom  are  chapels  and  schools  where  lives  are  being  transformed 
and  whole  villages  are  repenting,  slowly,  but  surely,  a  better  way  than  a  Governor’s 
pardon. 


Page  Tnventy-Hvo 


(Courtesy  of  Committee  for  Relief  of  Near  East) 


Paffe  T<vjenty~three 


CHARGE  IT 

HERE 

The  amount  of  your  Victory  Gift  and  send  the  check,  money  order  or  cash  to 
Dwight  H.  Day,  Treas.,  156  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York. 


May,  1919. 


Form  No.  2651 


Paffe  T’wenty-four 


